U.S. patent number 4,648,517 [Application Number 06/779,669] was granted by the patent office on 1987-03-10 for shelf support structure.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Fritz Schafer Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung. Invention is credited to Gerhard Schafer.
United States Patent |
4,648,517 |
Schafer |
March 10, 1987 |
Shelf support structure
Abstract
A shelf support structure with upright posts of sheet metal
sections and horizontal braces of sheet metal sections, connecting
these with each other, provides with a simple structure an
inherently stable connection between the posts and the horizontal
braces. The sheet metal sections of the posts have an aperture at
one longitudinal side and are symmetrical in cross-section with
respect to a plane crossing this aperture. The aperture is
terminated on both sides by flanges protruding outwardly at right
angles from the walls adjoining it and a longitudinal ledge
protruding into the post is located opposite the aperture,
symmetrically to the plane crossing the aperture. The horizontal
braces engage with their ends into the sheet metal sections forming
the posts up to the wall lying opposite the aperture and are there
equipped with an indentation in whose area they embrace the
longitudinal ledge in the posts in a fork-like manner.
Inventors: |
Schafer; Gerhard
(Neunkirchen-Salchendorf, DE) |
Assignee: |
Fritz Schafer Gesellschaft mit
beschrankter Haftung (DE)
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Family
ID: |
25825107 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/779,669 |
Filed: |
September 24, 1985 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
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Sep 26, 1984 [DE] |
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3435246 |
Dec 24, 1984 [DE] |
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3447300 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
211/183; 211/189;
211/201; 403/190; 211/182; 211/192; 211/195; 403/188; 108/162;
108/187 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B
96/1475 (20130101); F16B 7/22 (20130101); F16B
2200/20 (20180801) |
Current International
Class: |
A47B
96/00 (20060101); A47B 96/14 (20060101); A47F
005/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;211/182,183,189,186,191,192,195,201 ;108/111
;403/187,188,189,190,191,197 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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0077885 |
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May 1983 |
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EP |
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3323503 |
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Jan 1984 |
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DE |
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203388 |
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Jun 1939 |
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CH |
|
Primary Examiner: Scanlan, Jr.; Richard J.
Assistant Examiner: Knight; Anthony
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Toren, McGeady and Goldberg
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A shelf support structure comprising upright posts of sheet
metal sections and horizontal braces connecting the posts with each
other, the horizontal braces formed of sheet metal sections, the
posts defining an aperture at a longitudinal side thereof and
formed symmetrical in cross-section with respect to a vertical
plane extending transversely of the aperture, the aperture bounded
on both sides by flanges protruding outwardly at right angles from
the walls adjoining the aperture, and a longitudinal ledge
protruding inwardly formed in the wall lying opposite the aperture
symmetrically to the plane crossing the aperture, wherein the sheet
metal sections of the horizontal braces are U-shaped or C-shaped
whose longitudinal openings are directed towards the top or the
bottom, and wherein the horizontal braces extend with their ends
through the apertures of the posts and are connected to the
flanges, the improvement which comprises
that the horizontal braces extend with their ends into the sheet
metal sections of the posts up to the wall lying opposite the
aperture, and that the ends have a recess in which the longitudinal
ledge of the post is received in a fork-like manner.
2. The shelf support structure according to claim 1, wherein each
horizontal brace is attached at each flange of the posts through
two rivet or screw connection, and a third rivet or screw
connection is formed between the end of the horizontal brace and
the post, the third connection effective between a lug in the area
of the recess of the horizontal brace and the wall of the
longitudinal ledge of the post.
3. The shelf support structure according to claim 2, wherein the
two rivet or screw connections between the horizontal brace and the
flanges of the posts are in axial alignment with each other and
form a connecting articulation, and the third rivet or screw
connection between the lug of the horizontal brace and the
longitudinal bead ledge of the post acts as a stop for the
connecting articulation.
4. The shelf support structure according to claim 1, comprising a
diagonally extending compression rod connected with the horizontal
braces.
5. The shelf support structure according to claim 4, wherein the
compression rod has fork-shaped ends which engage the horizontal
braces and detachable screw-pin connections connect the ends to the
braces.
6. The shelf support structure according to claim 1, comprising
side walls as stiffeners extending between two opposite posts and
attached by means of screws in stepped portions of the posts
bordered by the flanges of the aperture.
7. The shelf support structure according to claim 1, wherein the
longitudinal ledge in the post has suspension members for the
engagement of engagement members formed at the free legs of
U-shaped or L-shaped coupling shoes of horizontal traverses, and
wherein the coupling shoes embrace the cross-sectional area of the
post in a matching manner, said area being bounded between the
longitudinal side wall and its neighboring side wall of the
longitudinal ledge.
8. The shelf support structure according to claim 7, wherein the
longitudinal side wall of the post at its area adjacent to the
longitudinal ledge has a stepped portion of reduced width relative
to the area comprising the suspension members, the depth of the
stepped portion at least approximately corresponding to the leg
thickness at the coupling shoes.
9. The shelf support structure according to claim 8, wherein the
coupling shoes comprise at their legs several lugs spaced one above
the other, which lugs are arranged spaced from the corner of the
shoe and protrude above the inner side of the leg by an amount
which matches the depth of the stepped portion at the post.
10. The shelf support structure according to claim 9, wherein the
stepped portions on the posts are inclined at an acute angle
against the plane of the longitudinal side walls, and the side
walls of the longitudinal ledge have an inclinational position
opposite thereto and extend at an obtuse angle with respect to the
base of the longitudinal ledge and the adjacent post wall
section.
11. The shelf support structures accorcing to claim 10, wherein the
leg of the coupling shoes has an inclinational position matched to
the side walls of the longitudinal ledge at the post, and the depth
of the lugs in the leg is matched to the inclinational position of
the stepped portions at the post.
12. The shelf support structure according to claim 11, wherein the
recess in the horizontal brace has a contour shape adapted to the
inclinational position of the side walls of the longitudinal ledge
and the front side ends of the horizontal brace in the engaged
position are spaced from the post wall sections.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a shelf support structure with upright
posts from sheet metal sections and horizontal braces, also formed
from sheet metal sections, which connect these posts one with each
other.
The sheet metal sections of the posts have an aperture at a
longitudinal side and are designed to be symmetrical in
cross-section with respect to a plane crossing of this aperture.
Furthermore, the aperture is bounded on both sides by a flange
which protrudes outwardly at right angles from its adjoining walls
and a longitudinal bead/or ledge protruding into the sheet metal
section is molded symmetrically to the plane crossing the aperture
into the wall located opposite to the aperture, while the sheet
metal sections of the horizontal braces have at least one U-shaped
or C-shaped cross section and, with their longitudinal opening,
directed upwards or downwards, engaged with their ends into the
aperture of the posts and are connected or connectable with the
flanges and bordering on the aperture.
Shelves of this type are already known, as for instance can be
gathered from EP-A-No. 0077885 and the DE-A-No. 33 23 503.
In the shelf according to EP-A-No. 0077885, the horizontal braces
are guided with their ends in such a manner in the area between the
flanges of two posts which border the aperture, that they terminate
flush with the rear side of the walls carrying the flanges and are
connected rigidly with the posts at least by welding seams formed
along the free longitudinal edges of the flanges.
For obtaining increased stability of the connection between the
posts and the horizontal braces according to the EP-A-0077885,
additional diagonal cross ties are provided between the two posts
and are welded to the posts in the vicinity of their ends along the
flange edges.
In the shelf according to the DE-A-No. 3323503 detachable
connections between the posts and the horizontal braces are
provided which work in accordance of shelf clampings wedge
couplings together over thin or tongue shaped members, which are
recessed at the posts and on the horizontal braces.
In the two previously known types of shelves, it is of disadvantage
that the forces acting upon the horizontal braces must be carried
exclusively by the flanges of the posts which flanges limit the
apertures on both sides, while the remaining cross sectional areas
of the posts are not subjected to any direct introduction of
forces. Actual practice has, however, shown that the inherent
stability of the frame systems of such shelves formed of two posts
and at least two horizontal braces is impaired, and indeed in
direction parallel as well as transversely to their plane.
In order to overcome these disadvantages, it is the object of the
invention to provide a shelf of the type explained in detail above,
in which in a simple manner an optimum force transmitting
connection between the upright posts and the horizontal braces is
assured and thereby the inherent stability of the frame systems
formed of two posts and at least two horizontal braces is
improved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This object is met in accordance with the invention in that the
horizontal braces reach with their ends to the wall lying opposite
the aperture in the sheet metal sections forming the posts and have
a recess in whose area they engage the longitudinal bead or ledge
in the post in a fork like manner.
It is of advantage that the ends of the horizontal braces protrude
through the entire depth of the sheet metal sections forming the
posts and find sidewise support in these walls sections spaced with
considerable distance opposite each other.
In accordance with a further development of the invention, it is
provided, that the horizontal braces are attached or attachable at
each flange of the posts by a rivet or bolt or screw connection and
a third connecting point can be formed between each end of the
horizontal braces and the posts by a rivet or a screw, which
engages on the one hand at the angled lug in the area of the recess
of the horizontal braces and on the other hand in a wall of the
longitudinal bead or ledge of the posts. Such a three point
connection improves the engagement between the posts and the
horizontal braces to a considerable degree.
Since the rivet and/or bolt connection between the posts and
horizontal braces can be fabricated in a simple and reliable
manner, the posts and the horizontal braces together with all the
members required for the assembly of the shelves can be packaged,
shipped and stored in a space-saving manner and can then be
assembled at the place of use easily and safely.
In accordance with another advantageous feature of the present
invention, that the two riveted or bolted connections between the
horizontal braces and the flanges of the posts are axially aligned
with each other and form a connecting articulation with each other,
while the third riveted or bolted connection between the lugs of
the horizontal braces and the longitudinal bead or ledge of the
posts can be made to act as a blocking connection for the
connecting articulations. Two posts and at least two horizontal
braces can in this case be already connected with each other in the
fabricating plant in such a manner that they can be displaced
relatively to each other similar to a parallelogram. The folded
together state of this parallelogram will then require less storage
for packing, storing and shipping. At the place of use of the
shelves the parallelogram must merely then be brought into the
rectangular frame shape and the relative position of the posts and
horizontal braces with respect to each other can then be secured by
attachment of the third riveted or bolted connection.
For additional stabilization of a shelf of the last described
construction, an important feature according to the invention
provides that a diagonally extending compression rod as stiffening
tie is connectable with an upper and a lower horizontal brace
provided for connecting of two posts.
It is particularly to be recommended that the compression rod has
fork-shaped ends, with which it embraces the horizontal braces and
with which it is couplable by means of a detachable bolt and pin
connection. The stiffening tie acting as a compression rod can
consist of the same sheet metal sections as the horizontal braces.
Then it is only necessary to bend the side wall sections outwards
to the extent of their material thickness, which wall sections form
the fork-shaped ends of the stiffening ties, so that they can
embrace the side walls of the horizontal braces.
It may also be advisable to provide the recesses at the stiffening
ties acting as compression rods in such a manner, that the edges of
their transverse walls abut against the adjoining walls of the
horizontal braces, when the stiffening tie assumes its diagonal
acting position between the upper and lower horizontal brace.
Instead of or in addition to the stiffening ties acting as
compression rods, the possibility has also been provided in the
invention to attach side walls as stiffeners in the stepped
portions bounded by the flanges of the longitudinal gap in between
two posts facing each other.
The invention furthermore aims that the loads occurring in actual
practice can be accepted in optimum manner by the connecting
members provided between the posts and can be carried into the
posts at the same time as assuring a high inherent stability and
steadiness of the shelf.
This aim is achieved in accordance with the invention in that the
longitudinal bead or ledge in the post is provided with suspension
and/or detent members for the engagement members which are located
at the free legs of the coupling shoes of horizontal braces, which
in cross section are approximately U-shaped or L-shaped, wherein
the coupling shoes embrace the cross sectional area of a post in a
matching manner, which is enclosed between one longitudinal side
wall and the adjoining side wall of the longitudinal bead or
ledge.
Another important advantage of the present invention is the feature
whereby the longitudinal side walls of the posts in their area
adjoining the longitudinal bead or-ledge have a stepped cross
sectional constriction as against the area comprising the
suspension or detent members, whose depth at least approximates the
leg thickness of the coupling shoes.
The coupling shoes can comprise at their leg respectively several
projections or knobs spaced above each other, which are arranged
spaced from the corner transition to the web and which protrude
above the inner side of the leg by a dimension which corresponds to
the depth of the cross-sectional constriction at the post.
The cross-sectional constrictions at the posts may extend inclined
at acute angles against the plane of the longitudinal side walls,
while the side walls of the longitudinal beads or ledges have an
inclinational position opposite hereto and thereby respectively
extend at obtuse angles to the bottom of the longitudinal bead or
ledge as well as to the neighboring sections of the post walls.
It is however also important that on the one hand the leg of the
coupling shoe has an inclination position adapted to the side walls
of the post longitudinal bead or ledge, while on the other hand the
depth of the knobs or lugs in the leg is adapted to the inclination
position of the cross-sectional constriction of the post.
Finally, it is also important for the inherent stability and
steadiness of the shelf that the recess at the ends of the
horizontal brace is adapted to the inclined position of the side
walls of the post's longitudinal bead or ledge as far as its
contour shape is concerned, and that the ends of the horizontal
brace in its active position assume a certain distance from their
neighboring areas of the post wall. The stabilizing support action
is here achieved between the inclined side walls of the
longitudinal bead or ledge and the inclined side flanks of the end
runs in the horizontal braces.
It should be mentioned additionally, that it is known, for instance
through DE-A-No. 99091, to design shelves with upright posts
together with their connecting horizontal braces by means of
articulations installed between the posts and the horizontal braces
in such a way that they can be folded in a space-saving fashion for
the purpose of packaging, storage or shipping, while in their
position of use, they can be locked by means of diagonally
extending compression rods acting as stiffener ties. However, this
known shelf has no other essential points of contact with a shelf
accordance with in the invention.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention
are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and
forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of
the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects
attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying
drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and
described preferred embodiments of the invention .
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
In the drawing:
FIG. 1 is a schematically simplified front view of the overall
construction of a shelf;
FIG. 2 shows the shelf according to FIG. 1 viewed in direction of
arrow II;
FIG. 3 shows the shelf according to FIG. 1 viewed in direction of
arrow III;
FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view along line of IV--IV in FIG.
1 in approximately normal size;
FIG. 5 is a view in direction of the arrow V of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 shows the upper end section of a shelf designated with VI in
FIG. 2 in approximately normal size;
FIG. 7 shows an advantageous variation possibility for an inventive
shelf in a side view derived from FIG. 2;
FIG. 8 is a view in direction of arrow VIII on the construction
variation of a shelf according to FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 shows the shelf according to FIGS. 7 and 8 in its position
of use;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a detail of the construction type
of the shelf according to FIGS. 7 to 9;
FIG. 11 shows a horizontal section of a further development of the
shelf design corresponding to FIG. 4;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a partial area of a shelf in
modified design corresponding to FIG. 5; and
FIG. 13 is a horizontal section through the left half of the shelf
partial area according to FIG. 12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIGS. 1 to 3 show a shelf 1 which can be assembled from at least
four constructionally identical posts 2, at least two horizontal
braces 3 and several compartment bottoms 4 and makes possible the
utilization of additional constructional members, for instance
stiffening ties 5 and/or stiffening walls 6.
Each of the four posts is a sheet metal section fabricated for
instance by bending, which comprises an aperture 7 at a
longitudinal side and is designed symmetrical in cross section with
respect to a plane 8--8 crossing the aperture 7.
The aperture 7 of the posts 2 is terminated by a flange 10' and 10"
protruding outwardly at right angles from the walls 9' and 9"
adjoining it, while a longitudinal bead or ledge 12 protruding into
the sheet metal section is molded into the wall 11 lying opposite
the aperture 7, again symmetrically to a plane 8--8 crossing the
aperture 7. At both side walls 13' and 13" the posts 2 are provided
with hanging or suspended detents or lugs 14' and 14" equally
distributed along their longitudinal direction, as is clearly shown
in FIGS. 1 to 3.
The horizontal braces 3 also are formed of sheet metal sections,
which have at least one U-shaped or C-shaped cross section and are
directed with their longitudinal opening toward the top or the
bottom, as can be seen particularly clearly from FIG. 5.
The horizontal braces 3 engage through the aperture 7 into the
sheet metal sections forming the posts 2 to such an extent that
their ends 15 reach up to the wall 11 lying opposite the aperture
7, as can be seen particularly clearly in FIGS. 4 and 6. The ends
15 of the horizontal braces 3 are equipped with an indentation or
recess 16, in such a way that they can embrace the longitudinal
bead or ledge 12 in the area of this indentation 16 in a fork like
manner, as can be seen in FIG. 4. The connection of the horizontal
braces 3 with the posts 2 is accomplished respectively at three
places, namely on the one hand at both flanges 10' and 10" by means
of rivets 16' and 16" or also screws, which are in an aligned
position to the common axis 17--17. The third retaining connection,
which can also be made by means of a rivet 18 or by means of a
screw, is provided between the longitudinal bead or ledge 12 and a
lug 19, which is angled out of the wall of the horizontal braces 3
(FIGS. 4 to 6) in the area of recess 16.
By means of the rivet or screw connection 16', 16" and 18 the
horizontal braces 3 are connected with the posts 2 respectively at
three points having a relatively large distance from each other and
apart from that are provided stable sidewise supports in the posts
on the one hand between the two flanges 10' and 10" as well as on
the other hand by means of the fork shaped engagement connection of
their ends 15 comprising the recess 16 with the longitudinal bead
or ledge 12. A high inherent stability of the frame systems formed
from two posts 2 and at least two horizontal braces 3 is hereby
assured.
An effective stiffening of these frame systems can be achieved by
means of an additional use of diagonally extending compression rods
5, which engage as stiffening ties for instance near to the left
end at the upper horizontal brace 3 and near to the right end at
the lower horizontal brace 3, as can be seen from FIG. 2.
The diagonal braces 5 can be manufacturered from the same sheet
metal section as the horizontal braces 3. They must merely be
equipped at each end with a recess 20 in such a manner that side
cheeks 21' and 21" remain standing there, with which they can
embrace the horizontal braces possibly after an appropriate bending
operation, as can be seen from FIGS. 4 and 6.
By means of a pin and screw connection 22 the diagonal braces 5 are
then connected to the horizontal braces 3 and thus stabilize the
frame system consisting of two posts 2 and at least two horizontal
braces 3 in its rectangular functional position according to FIG.
2.
Additionally to the diagonal braces 5 or instead of same, side
walls 23 formed from sheet metal can also be used for the
stabilization of any frame system composed of two posts 2 and at
least two horizontal braces 3, which engage with their frame edges
24 into the steps between the walls 9', 9" and the flanges 10' and
10" of the posts 2, as can be seen from FIG. 4. Side walls 23, as
well as the stiffening walls 6, are fastened to the posts 2 by
means of screws 6', 23'.
The positional securing of the side walls 23 is for instance
accomplished by means of sheet metal screws, which engage near to
the frame edges 24 through the side walls 3 into the flanges 10',
10" of the posts 2.
FIGS. 7 to 10 of the drawing show a design of a shelf 1 which can
be shaped with minor modifications or supplementary measures in
such a manner that the frame systems composed of two posts 2 or two
horizontal braces 3 can already be pre-assembled at the factory,
but can be folded together in parallelogram fashion in a
space-saving manner for packaging, storage and shipping.
For the mentioned purpose it is merely necessary to connect the
horizontal braces 3 with the two posts 2 by means of rivets or
screws 16', 16" in alignment position with the axis 17--17 in an
articulated but tight fashion as well as to provide the ends 15 of
the two horizontal braces with a rounding off radius 24' or 24"
around the articulation axis 17 at diagonally opposite corners,
which rounding off radius extends at the most over half the cross
sectional height of the horizontal braces 3, as this can be
gathered from FIGS. 7, 9 and 10. On the basis of this design then
the frame systems composed of two posts 2 and two horizontal braces
3 can be changed over in parallelogram fashion from the folded
state visible in FIG. 7 and the state of use visible in FIG. 9,
wherein in the state of FIG. 9 the straight section at the ends 15
of the horizontal braces 3 assume a support position as support
stops against the wall 11 of the post 2, while at the same time
there indentation 16 embraces the longitudinal bead or ledge in a
fork-like manner. By attaching the rivet or screw connection 18
between the lugs 19 of the horizontal braces 3 and the longitudinal
bead or ledge 12 of the post the functional attitude of the frame
system is then fixed according to FIG. 9 as well as being
additionally secured by insertion of the diagonal brace 5 and/or
possibly also the side walls 23.
FIG. 8 shows the a space saving manner in which two frame systems
for formation of a shelf 1 and the associated diagonal braces 5 can
be packaged, stored and shipped.
FIGS. 11 to 13 of the drawing show further development measures of
a shelf 1 which serve to further improve its inherent stability and
steadiness.
Reference numerals are utilized in FIGS. 11 to 13 which have been
increased by three decades as against the reference numerals used
in FIGS. 1 to 10. Thus, there the posts have the reference numeral
32, while the horizontal braces are designated by the reference
numeral 33, etc.
Each post 32 includes a sheet metal section fabricated by a bending
operation and has an aperture 37 at a longitudinal side and is
designed to be symmetrical in cross section with respect to a plane
38--38 crossing this aperture 37.
The aperture 37 of the post 32 is terminated on both sides by a
flange 40' and 40" protruding outwardly at right angles from the
walls 39' and 39" in the neighborhood of the aperture, while in the
wall 41 lying opposite the aperture 37 also symmetrical to the
plane 38--38 crossing the aperture 37 is molded the longitudinal
bead or ledge 42. At both side walls 43' and 43" the post 32 is
provided with hanging and/or detent elements 44' and 44" uniformly
distributed in its longitudinal direction.
The horizontal braces 33 engage through the aperture 37 into the
sheet metal section forming the posts 32, and indeed to such an
extent, that their ends 45 reach up to the walls 41 lying opposite
to the aperture 37, as can be seen in FIG. 11. The ends 45 of the
horizontal braces 33 are provided with the recess 46, in such a way
that in the area of this recess 46 they can embrace the
longitudinal bead or ledge 42 in the posts 32 in a fork-like manner
(FIG. 11). Rivets 47' and 47" which have a position aligned with a
common axis 47--47 serve to connect the horizontal braces 33 and
the posts 32. It is however also possible to use screws here, in
order to create a favorable movable connection between the
horizontal braces 33 and the posts 32 around the axis 47--47. A
stable sidewise abutment results between the posts 32 and the
horizontal braces 33, and indeed on the one hand by means of the
two flanges 40' and 40" as well as on the other hand by means of
the fork shaped engagement connection of the ends 45 of the
horizontal brace 33 comprising the recess 46 with a longitudinal
bead or ledge 42. Because of this, a high inherent stability of the
frame systems formed of two posts 32 and at least two horizontal
braces 33 is assured.
An additional particularly effective stiffening of the shelf 1 is
achieved through the utilization of horizontal traverses 35 and 36,
of which the horizontal traverses 36 is recognizable in FIG. 11 and
the horizontal traverse 35 in FIG. 12.
The horizontal traverses 35 and 36 are fabricated from sheet metal
sections as are the posts 32 and the horizontal braces 33. While
the horizontal traverse 35 has a Z-shaped cross section (FIG. 12),
the horizontal traverse 36 exhibits a sidewise open cross sectional
profile of for instance a C-shaped cross section.
The posts 32 comprise, apart of their suspension and/or detent
elements 44', 44", additionally also suspension and/or detent
elements 48 in the area of their longitudinal beads or ledges 42,
which consist of simple slits or indentations. They are located
respectively in the base 49 of the longitudinal bead or ledge 42,
and they are arranged at least to be directly adjoining at their
side walls 50' and 50".
The suspension and/or detent elements 48 are arranged to be offset
with respect to their height position as against the suspension
and/or detent elements 44' and 44", as can be seen from FIG.
12.
A coupling shoe 51" (FIGS. 12 and 13) is attached at each end of
the horizontal traverses 35, while a similar coupling shoe 52 is
located at the ends of the horizontal traverses 36 (FIG. 11).
The coupling shoes 51" or 52 have an approximately U-shaped or
L-shaped cross section and are fabricated as sheet metal parts.
According to FIGS. 12 and 13, the coupling shoes 51" have two legs
53 and 54, which are in single piece connection with each other by
means of a web 55. The leg 53 having the smaller width is provided
with engagement members 56 molded in one piece with it in the shape
of hooks angled off in the leg plane, which can be brought into
engagement with the slits or indentations in the base 49 of the
longitudinal beads 42, which serve as detent members 48.
The other broader leg 54 of the coupling shoe 51" also carries
respectively several engagement members, indeed it is equipped with
several, for instance three, outwardly directed extrusions 71 which
are spaced one above the other, each of which has a perforation 72
in the area of its upper edge, while on the other hand a hook 73
directed downward remains standing in the plane of the leg 54.
During the hanging or suspending operation of the coupling shoes
51" at the posts 32, their hooks 73 engage from above behind the
suspension and/or detent members 44' or 44" of the post 32, while
at the same time the suspension and/or detent members 44' or 44"
protrude from below through the openings 72. This design of a
coupling shoes 51" results because of the provided extrusions 71 in
an increased inherent stability and additionally in an improved
engagement connection with the posts 32.
Since the extrusions can be liberally dimensioned, there result
good welding faces for the horizontal traverses 35.
The co-action of the individual coupling shoes 51" according to
FIG. 12 with a post 32 is also evident from FIG. 13. FIG. 13 also
shows clearly that the posts 32 can have modified profiling as
against FIG. 11.
The difference compared to the profile shape according to FIG. 11
lies in case of the posts 32 according to FIG. 7 in that on the one
hand the stepped cross sectional constrictions 62' and 62" are
arranged to be inclined at an acute angle opposite the plane of
their longitudinal side walls 43' or 43". On the other hand
however, the side walls 50' or 50" of the longitudinal bead or
ledge 42 have a corresponding oppositely directed inclinational
position. They extend at an acute angle with respect to the base 49
of the longitudinal bead or ledge 42 and to the sections 41' or 41"
of the post walls 41 adjoining it.
By an appropriate design of the legs 53 and the projections or
knobs 70 at the coupling shoe 51" a particularly good wedge-like
coupling connection with the posts is assured.
Since, according to FIG. 13 not only the side walls 50' or 50" of
the longitudinal bead or ledge 42, but also the side flanks of the
indentation 46 associated with them have a matched inclinational
position in the ends 45 of the horizontal braces 33, they can, in
the active position of the horizontal braces 36, support each other
in a wedge-like bracing manner and thus cause good mutual
introduction of forces, even though the ends 45 of the horizontal
braces 33 maintain a certain distance from the inside faces of the
wall sections 41', 41" of the posts 32, as can be seen in FIG.
13.
The coupling shoes 52 of the horizontal traverses 36 have a similar
design as the coupling shoes 51", i.e., they comprise a U-shaped or
L-shaped cross section with two parallel legs 58 and 59 as well as
web 60 connecting these in one piece. Again the leg 58 has a
smaller width than the leg 59, whereby in this case only the leg 59
carries engagement members 61 in the shape of hooks, which are
designed to be angled in the plane of the leg.
The coupling shoe 52 engages with the leg 59 carrying the
engagement members 61 into the longitudinal bead or ledge 42 of the
posts 32, and indeed in such a way, that the engagement members 61
designed as hooks penetrate the suspension and/or detent members 48
formed by slits or indentations in the base 49 of the longitudinal
bead or ledge 42 and clamp themselves there in a hook-up. Leg 59
rests with the other side tightly at one of the side walls 50' and
50" of the longitudinal bead and ledge 42, while at the same time
the leg 58 with its other side comes to rest at one of the
longitudinal side walls 43' or 43", and indeed in the area of a
cross sectional constriction 62' or 62", which is offset backwards,
as against the area 63' or 63" of the longitudinal side walls 43',
43" carrying the suspension and/or detent members 44' or 44", by an
amount which corresponds at least to the material thickness of the
leg 58 of the coupling shoes 52. The width of these cross sectional
constrictions 62' or 62" is thereby matched to the width of the leg
58.
While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and
described in detail to illustrate the application of the inventive
principles, it will be understood that the invention may be
embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.
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